March Madness in HDTV - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Night Chicken · 2003-02-20, 01:47 PM

On the Roger's HD demo loop they show some shots of NCAA basketball games. Does anyone know what HD coverage of March Madness is planned this year (if any)? Games throughout? The final four at least?

I haven't found too much info on this and the tourney is rapidly approaching - one of my favourite annual sports occasions.

dialog_gvf · 2003-02-20, 02:08 PM

CBS will be showing at least the final four in HD.

swillis55 · 2003-02-20, 05:32 PM

The following are announcements of upcoming HDTV broadcasts (thanks to HDTV Magazine for this information) -

HDTV MAGAZINE
Program News You Can Use......

Thursday, February 20, 2003

SEARS AND CBS TEAM UP TO BROADCAST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR AND
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN HDTV

12 NCAA Basketball Games To Be Broadcast In HDTV And 5.1 Surround Sound

NEW YORK, February 20, 2003 -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S), and
CBS Television announced today an agreement in which Sears will sponsor
High Definition Television coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball
Championship, including the Final Four and Championship games.

Coverage will include 12 High Definition games starting with first-round
action from Birmingham, Ala., on Friday, March 21 (four games) and Sunday,
March 23 (two games), as well as South Region action in San Antonio,
Friday, March 28 (two games) and Sunday, March 30 (one game). The first
eight games will be regionalized broadcasts, while the South Region final
in San Antonio, the two national semi-final games and the National
Championship Game will be national broadcasts.

The telecasts, which will be presented live by CBS Sports, will be
"unified" productions produced in HDTV's highest definition format, 1080i,
and downconverted for the CBS Television Network's analog broadcast
coverage. This production technique also produces a better quality analog
picture. Whether watching in widescreen HD or traditional 4x3 analog,
viewers will see the same camera angles, replays and graphics and will
hear the same play by play.

For the first time, the NCAA Basketball Tournament will be broadcast
in 5.1 channels of CD quality surround sound. This addition of surround
sound audio to the broadcast, coupled with the clarity of 1080 lines of
picture resolution, will bring the stadium experience to the viewer's
home. CBS will also be broadcasting the Grammy Awards in HDTV and 5.1
surround sound on February 23, 2003.

"The combination of high-definition and CD quality surround sound provides
an extraordinary experience for NCAA Basketball Tournament viewers
watching the games on CBS," said Sean McManus, President, CBS Sports. "The
coverage will really bring the game home for millions of college
basketball fans, and we are very pleased to be partnering with Sears in
making this experience a reality. This is the fourth consecutive year we
have broadcast the Final Four in HDTV, re-affirming CBS's leadership in
presenting big-ticket marquee events in high definition."

"While Sears is a leading retailer in the sales of HDTV, we are aware
there is a good deal of confusion among consumers about HDTV," said Ray
Brown, Vice President/General Merchandise Manager, Electronics for Sears.
"With this effort with CBS, Sears is taking a leadership role to help
educate millions of consumers about the benefits HDTV offers."

CBS Sports' coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship
Final Four and Championship games will be broadcast live Saturday, April 5
(6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and Monday, April 7 (9:00-11:30 PM, ET) from New
Orleans.

Cheers,

Sean

2003-02-20, 01:47 PM	#1
Night Chicken Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 38	March Madness in HDTV On the Roger's HD demo loop they show some shots of NCAA basketball games. Does anyone know what HD coverage of March Madness is planned this year (if any)? Games throughout? The final four at least? I haven't found too much info on this and the tourney is rapidly approaching - one of my favourite annual sports occasions. __________________ Yes I have a big screen. No I am not compensating for anything. :)

2003-02-20, 02:08 PM	#2
dialog_gvf Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downtown Toronto, ON Posts: 2,130	CBS will be showing at least the final four in HD. __________________ To HD - And beyond.

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2003-02-20, 05:32 PM	#3
swillis55 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ON, CAN Posts: 52	The following are announcements of upcoming HDTV broadcasts (thanks to HDTV Magazine for this information) - HDTV MAGAZINE Program News You Can Use...... Thursday, February 20, 2003 SEARS AND CBS TEAM UP TO BROADCAST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN HDTV 12 NCAA Basketball Games To Be Broadcast In HDTV And 5.1 Surround Sound NEW YORK, February 20, 2003 -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S), and CBS Television announced today an agreement in which Sears will sponsor High Definition Television coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including the Final Four and Championship games. Coverage will include 12 High Definition games starting with first-round action from Birmingham, Ala., on Friday, March 21 (four games) and Sunday, March 23 (two games), as well as South Region action in San Antonio, Friday, March 28 (two games) and Sunday, March 30 (one game). The first eight games will be regionalized broadcasts, while the South Region final in San Antonio, the two national semi-final games and the National Championship Game will be national broadcasts. The telecasts, which will be presented live by CBS Sports, will be "unified" productions produced in HDTV's highest definition format, 1080i, and downconverted for the CBS Television Network's analog broadcast coverage. This production technique also produces a better quality analog picture. Whether watching in widescreen HD or traditional 4x3 analog, viewers will see the same camera angles, replays and graphics and will hear the same play by play. For the first time, the NCAA Basketball Tournament will be broadcast in 5.1 channels of CD quality surround sound. This addition of surround sound audio to the broadcast, coupled with the clarity of 1080 lines of picture resolution, will bring the stadium experience to the viewer's home. CBS will also be broadcasting the Grammy Awards in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on February 23, 2003. "The combination of high-definition and CD quality surround sound provides an extraordinary experience for NCAA Basketball Tournament viewers watching the games on CBS," said Sean McManus, President, CBS Sports. "The coverage will really bring the game home for millions of college basketball fans, and we are very pleased to be partnering with Sears in making this experience a reality. This is the fourth consecutive year we have broadcast the Final Four in HDTV, re-affirming CBS's leadership in presenting big-ticket marquee events in high definition." "While Sears is a leading retailer in the sales of HDTV, we are aware there is a good deal of confusion among consumers about HDTV," said Ray Brown, Vice President/General Merchandise Manager, Electronics for Sears. "With this effort with CBS, Sears is taking a leadership role to help educate millions of consumers about the benefits HDTV offers." CBS Sports' coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Final Four and Championship games will be broadcast live Saturday, April 5 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and Monday, April 7 (9:00-11:30 PM, ET) from New Orleans. Cheers, Sean